HR 3029
Passed a chamber
Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop standards and best practices for screening synthetic nucleic acids to prevent biosecurity risks, including those from artificial intelligence applications.
Official title: To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced
28-APR-2025
Referred
28-APR-2025
Approved by committee
29-APR-2025
Reported
16-JUL-2026
On the calendar
16-JUL-2026
Passed
20-JUL-2026
Senate
Received
21-JUL-2026
- Requires NIST to conduct measurement research on nucleic acid synthesis screening accuracy, security controls, and conformity assessment
- Establishes a consortium of industry, universities, nonprofits, and customers to develop and update screening priorities and best practices
- Mandates a report to Congress within 18 months summarizing consortium findings
- Authorizes $5 million per year through 2031 for NIST laboratory research
Covers an older version. The newest CRS summary describes the bill as of "Introduced in House" (28-APR-2025); the text has changed since (Engrossed in House, 20-JUL-2026).
CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov- Science, Space, and Technology Committee (House)
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (Senate)
Science, Technology, Communications
■ 2 D■ 1 R
2 Democrats
1 Republican